Dana Saugstad replaced each day of gifts with Yooper traditions and culture, including a brookie, 10-pointers, ski jumpers and, of course, beef pasties.

The book set in the Upper Peninsula focuses on bringing the Yooper spirit to life, while providing education to young readers.

“Each corresponding page gives a small description about that subject,” said Saugstad. “After singing along with the story lines, you can go back and learn about different places and traditions the U.P. is known for.”

The Scottville, Mich., native was inspired to write a children’s book after moving to the area after living in Alaska for eight years.

The cover of "The Twelve Days of Yooper Christmas." (Courtesy photo)

“I fell in love with Alaskan children’s books and when we moved back to Michigan, I tried to find U.P.-based children’s books but couldn’t find much, so I decided to write one,” she said.

Saugstad wrote the book in the summer of 2021, while working for the Wild Rivers Invasive Species Coalition in Kingsford.

“I always had a notebook with me; I would doodle or write any thoughts that came to mind while I would sit at the docks waiting for boats,” she said. “I wrote the book during a quiet afternoon at the boat launch at Six Mile Lake in Felch.”

After penning most of the book, she went back to fact-check her information.

“So that’s how the ‘Twelve Days of Yooper Christmas’ came,'” she said.

Saugstad then began her search for an illustrator and reached out to Northern Michigan University’s art and design department.

“I knew I wanted to work with a college student. I really enjoyed their energy and they are so excited to get projects,” she said.

The department put her in contact with Emmalene Oysti of Marquette, who has a bachelor of fine arts in illustration from NMU and a bachelor’s degree in art history from Arizona State University.

“She was great to work with,” Saugstad said. “She would send me three different sketches for me to select my favorite one.”

Oysti also added her own touches of the U.P., such as incorporating a 906 on the musher’s bib number on the 12th day.

One of Saugstad’s favorite parts of the book is the fifth day — featuring pasties.

“When I read this to kids, I just love yelling that out — ‘five beef pasties!’ I just think that’s so much fun,” she said.

The illustration of a Yooper eating pasties was created to have similar features to her husband. “I asked her to make him big and hairy — like a Yooper. He’s pretty big and has a beard. She added some fun elements within that,” Saugstad said.

Publishing a book was not something she had would have imagined herself doing, she said. “It’s really kind of funny, I would try to avoid English growing up if I could,” she added. “Now, I’m encouraging others to write more Yooper-themed books — there’s just not enough of them, especially children’s books.”

Saugstad, whose legal name is Dana Nelson, explained she chose to use a pen name as there was already another author Dana D. Nelson, who is a professor at Vanderbilt University.

“However our books are very different,” she said.

“The Twelve Days of Yooper Christmas” is the current featured book for Dickinson County Library’s story walk at City Park in Iron Mountain.

“Dana has captured the spirit of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan with ‘The Twelve Days of Yooper Christmas.’ Her countdown hits on favorite traditions, historic occupations, and fun activities to enjoy throughout the long winter,” Dickinson County Library Director Megan Rose said. “And many children will delight in reading and singing this version for the holidays.”

Saugstad recently visited North Elementary in Iron Mountain to read to students. They were able to purchase books with 25% of the proceeds going back to the school.

She also recently took part in the Authorpalooza at the Crystal Falls District Library.

Saugstad is now the district manager of the Dickinson Conservation District and is married to Joe Saugstad, with two children, Augustine and Marvin.

The book, which was released in May, is available in hardcover at Mully & Mo’s in downtown Iron Mountain. “Those books are all hand-signed,” she noted.

The book is also available at book stores in Escanaba, Marquette and Menominee, as well as on Amazon.

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Terri Castelaz can be reached at 906-774-2772, ext. 85241, or tcastelaz@ironmountaindailynews.com.